# Is semver ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> semver@7.8.5 is a CommonJS package. CommonJS — require() works on every Node.js version we test.

The semantic version parser used by npm.

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against semver@7.8.5.

semver ships CommonJS only. require("semver") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10. import "semver" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

## What to do

1. require("semver") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10.
2. From ES modules use the default import: import semver from "semver"; then destructure. Named imports only work when Node.js can statically detect the exports.
3. TypeScript: npm install -D @types/semver

## Facts

- Latest: 7.8.5 (Jun 19, 2026)
- Module format: CommonJS
- Last CommonJS version: 7.8.5
- TypeScript types: @types/semver
- Node engines: >=10
- Weekly downloads: 592.8M
- License: ISC

## Runtime test results for semver@7.8.5

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("semver") from a CommonJS file and import "semver" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("semver") | import "semver" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | works | works |
| Node.js 20 | works | works |
| Node.js 22 | works | works |
| Node.js 24 | works | works |
| Node.js 26 | works | works |
| Bun 1.4.0 | works | works |

## How to import semver

ES modules:

```js
import semver from "semver";
```

CommonJS:

```js
const semver = require("semver");
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (117 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0.3 – 7.8.5 | CommonJS | Sep 11, 2015 |

## Frequently asked

**Is semver ESM-only?**

semver@7.8.5 is a CommonJS package. semver ships CommonJS only. require("semver") works on every Node.js version we test (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26) and in Bun. The package declares Node.js >=10. import "semver" also works because Node.js and Bun can import CommonJS from ES modules, but only the default export is guaranteed; named imports depend on Node's static analysis of the module.

**Can I import semver with ES module syntax?**

Yes. import semver from "semver" works in Node.js and Bun because they support importing CommonJS modules. Named imports work only when Node.js can statically detect the exports.

**Does semver work in Bun?**

Yes. import "semver" loaded successfully in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026.

**Does semver ship TypeScript types?**

Not bundled. Install the community types with "npm install -D @types/semver".

## Links

- [semver on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/semver)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/npm/node-semver)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/semver/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/semver.json)

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